“Did you just get back?” I ask, smoothing the material at my thighs.
“A few minutes ago. I’ll be fast.”
Two knocks sound from the outside door.
“Come in,” I call. I immediately regret the decision when I see who stands there.
Jace is resplendent in what looks to be a royal guard’s uniform—a black jacket with a high collar and thick silver embroidery, and matching pants with a silver stripe down the seam. On his sleeve is a silver royal crest, and at his side hangs a sheathed sword. He looks handsome and regal.
His golden gaze devours me.
“Well, don’t you look fae?” he purrs.
I can’t look away, can’t even find words. I can sense the others’ tension, but I can’t break the spell.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“Yes, but Zadyn—” I glance over and see the way he’s eyeing Jace.
“Doesn’t seem to be ready,” Jace supplies. “I’ll escort you. He can meet us there.”
Zadyn looks back to me. “Go. I’ll be there shortly.”
I square my shoulders and take Jace’s extended hand. His warmth spreads through me, heating my naked arms and face. He wraps my gloved hand around the crook of his arm, and I fight the urge to squeeze down on his muscles.
“If you play this right, you might fool everyone,” he says quietly as we make our way downstairs to the party. I glance up at him and he quickly looks away. But not before I catch his eyes skimming over my neckline and lower. “You certainly look the part.”
“Can any of your compliments not be backhanded?”
“I wasn’t complimenting you.” His voice is flat.
“Oh well, fuck me, I guess.”
His head whips around to me so fast I think it’s going to fly off. The shock on his face is priceless.
“It’s an expression,” I explain quickly. “It’s just something people say in my world when someone is being a dick.”
“I think you’re the only one being a dick here.”
“Oh, good, at least you know what that word means.”
“Insufferable,” he mutters, glowering at me.
“The feeling is mutual,” I snap back in a hushed voice.
We continue in silence until we reach the Grand Hall, a room over half the size of a football field. We stand at the arching, open doorway, and I drink in the warm decadence waiting on the other side.
Tall candelabras are scattered throughout the space, dousing the room in a soft glow. Crystalline chandeliers hover over the lavish settees, chairs, and nooks scattered around the perimeter of the large dance floor. Tables and towers of endless refreshments, colorful drinks, and desserts line the walls. But most arresting is the sea of beautiful fae dressed in outrageously extravagant finery. The guests sport strange and lovely fashions one would see at the Met Gala—their outfits closer to works of art than to clothing.
It's a vision. A vision from a beautiful,beautifuldream.
We make our way over to one of the drink tables, and Jace picks up a glass of water.
“Being boring tonight?” I ask as I wiggle my fingers over a flute of fizzy pink liquid. “I’m guessing this has alcohol in it?”
“You’d be correct in that assumption.”
I pick it up and take a tentative sip. It’s possibly the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I wonder if it has a lot of sugar in it. Maybe calories don’t count when you find yourself in an alternate universe.
